Prince Harry Helicopter Pilot Qualification: Capt. Wales Awarded Prize

LONDON — Britain's defense ministry says Prince Harry has qualified as an Apache attack helicopter pilot, graduating as the best co-pilot gunner in his class after 18 months of training.

The ministry said Thursday the prize recognizes the student whose performance is the best among their peer group.

Known in the military as Capt. Wales, the third-in-line to the British throne was awarded his prize Wednesday.

The prince, who trained in California, in southern Arizona and in Britain, will now fly Apaches on exercises in the U.K.

In December, a British newspaper said Harry had acknowledged he will be deployed to Afghanistan for a second time. He briefly served there from 2007. The defense ministry has declined to confirm details of the prince's future deployments.

Comments

[scipio2009]

07:18 PM on 02/11/2012

The idea probably doesn't make a lick of sense ... but, any chance of seeing King William of England, in addition to Prince Harry, MP in Britain and prime minister candidate?

[Moxo]

06:59 PM on 02/11/2012

What's the fascination with those two boys for helicopters! His brother is an Air/Sea Rescue pilot and he's a co-pilot/gunner. Have choppers replaced Spitfires and Hurricanes in the hearts of the brits?

[flamjoe]

11:37 AM on 02/12/2012

I think there's a balance they try to follow wth Royals in the military. Relatively speaking, the helos may be viewed as safer than a super-sonic fighter for the future King and his 1st runner-up.
If I remember correct, Willian is a SAR pilot, while Harry, being second in line, may deploy to a front-line unit. That's whar Apache's do.
It wouldn't look good for a future King(s) to have just been a supply clerk during his/her service.

[Moxo]

06:55 PM on 02/11/2012

I see the Brit's have a Royal who follows in the footsteps of the children of such great War Presidents as Franklin Roosevelt and GW Bush!

Oh..wait... make that just FDR.

[YoBear]

02:25 PM on 02/11/2012

If he does combat missions then I have to admire him for leading by example.

[Moxo]

06:57 PM on 02/11/2012

He's already been in combat in Afghanistan. His uncle Andrew saw combat in the Falklands. His dad saw action in Camilla.

[mudshark12]

12:47 AM on 02/10/2012

Captain Wales? Major Wales sounds better suited for a prince.

[pete cole]

04:02 AM on 02/10/2012

True, there's already enough American armed nutters but they're on your streets and not in the forces.

[deluk]

05:53 AM on 02/10/2012

there are very very few "armed limeys", the whole world knows there are far too many armed Americans, a nation that because of the extraordinary level of it's psychosis and dysfunction is probably the one nation on Earth whose citizens should never be allowed near weaponry.

[WARHUKKER]

09:45 PM on 02/09/2012

Awarded a Prize??????????? He did not enter a contest,you have to earn your wings.

[mudshark12]

12:44 AM on 02/10/2012

The prize was for being "the best co-pilot gunner in his class after 18 months of training." It was the training where he qualified to earn his wings.

[WARHUKKER]

10:40 AM on 02/10/2012

It still isn't a prize,just like being shot in combat,the soldier is not injured,he is wounded.If one is to write about the military get the nomenclature right.

[lawa]

08:48 PM on 02/09/2012

he lloks like his dad. harry strikes me as a good sort. he's served in battle and ready for more. bet your mates respect you too.

[rosiebag]

12:09 AM on 02/10/2012

Yes he had body guards while he was in battle. a fraud.

[pete cole]

03:51 AM on 02/10/2012

Stupid comment. Everyone in the forces have bodyguards they're called fellow servicemen/servicewomen and they look after each other..

[lawa]

02:52 PM on 02/10/2012

beside being of royality, all combatants are surrounded by their fellow toops. GW still has body gaurds when he was president his daughter had body guards. its the way it is

[JennyLoveButt]

07:39 PM on 02/09/2012

Hey he went to Afganistan and got screwed by the press..................Then he figured another way to go back by flying a chopper.....................Good for him..........................He's one of the few in that familly of lay abouts I like................

[watchclock]

07:35 PM on 02/09/2012

Who cares!!!!!

[inthedesert]

06:55 PM on 02/09/2012

Harry could "fly" me anywhere, anytime..................LOL.

[starmanx]

12:39 AM on 02/10/2012

Me too.

[TAIsabel]

08:33 PM on 02/10/2012

Hear, hear!!!! He is one sexy dude!!!! I love his character, he is awesome, inside and out!

Yuuuuuuuum ;)!!!!

[Liban CZ]

06:14 PM on 02/09/2012

He can go now and help Syria.

[treasuredtrophie]

06:50 PM on 02/09/2012

Were not

[LiberalLee]

10:11 PM on 02/10/2012

Amazing how dumb some of these cracks are.
Like yours.

[canon940]

03:41 PM on 02/09/2012

Give the kid credit. With all that money, he didn't have to do squat.

[LiberalLee]

10:13 PM on 02/10/2012

Give the man credit. He EARNED every bit of rank he has. The royal family doesn't d!ck around on military service like OUR dear GOP frauds. THEY SERVE. They don't have Daddy get them into the Texas National Guard and STILL skip his service like a certain recent ex-president.

[canon940]

12:41 AM on 02/11/2012

Mr. Liberal, shall we then go into a discussion about your Bill Clinton the draft dodger. It is a known fact and not subject to dispute. Go look it up if you don't believe me.

[WellReadAussie2]

06:49 AM on 02/12/2012

Go girl!!!
You just tell 'em!
I strongly suspect you and I (if I was eligible) would vote the same way come November!!

[Escalonz]

03:37 PM on 02/09/2012

I say prince "arry, aka Capt. Wales. Well done ole chap, chip, chip and tally hoe..........................

Tank commander, Combat Air controller, Apache pilot; Next: "Terminator"

[margiesmemories]

03:26 PM on 02/09/2012

What a great job Princess Di did with these boys early on. She would be so proud of them.

[Whistlejackett]

09:17 PM on 02/10/2012

She's been deaad for years, she hardly did a thing.

[margiesmemories]

03:19 AM on 02/11/2012

This has nothing to do with their flying it has to do with the ground work done by Diane when these boys were children. That is what reflects as adults.

[LiberalLee]

10:14 PM on 02/10/2012

Diana was too busy jet-setting about.
They learned this from their father's family.